Electrical adapter means



H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRICAL ADAPTER MEANS L 1R2: I N VLNTO AT'rOfQMif Original Filed Oct. 14, 1932 liar-1: 1* De Jan. 11, 1938.

Reissuetl Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED smrrs PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL ADAPTER MEANS Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich., assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana 12 Claim.

This invention relates to electrical adapter means more particularly for snap terminal conneetors. A

Among other objects, the invention aims to provide a separable terminal and receptacle therercr which may be interchangeably engaged each 'with on a pair of complementary electrical conductors to provide 'a quickly made and'secure snap "terminal connection therebetween.

i'he invention is of particular utility for use in fconjunction with internal-combustion engine spark plugs and the high voltage leads thereto. Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a spark plug and lead with my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on a larger scale taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, parts being shown in elevation and with the spark plug terminal omitted;

Figure 3 is a development view of the receptacle of my improved adapter illustrating its preferred formation;

Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the receptacle and terminal reversed; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the preferred sheet metal receptacle.

Referring in detail to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, 1 have shown a conventional spark plug I provided with the usual exteriorly threaded metallic conductor tip 2 which carries the current to the central electrode of the plug in a well known manner.-

In accordance with one form of my invention the usual nut which is screwed on the tip 2 may be discarded and a separable metallic terminal 3 screwed thereon, said terminal having an interiorly screw-threaded socket 4 which receives the tip 2. The terminal 3 is generally cylindrical but desirably has a frustro-conical nose 5. Engaged with the terminal 3 by having the terminal 3 received therein, is a receptacle 6 which is desirably of sheet metal and preferably formed as next described.

As shown in Figure 3, the receptacle 6 may be struck out from a single piece of sheet metal, such as brass, to the shape of the blank 1 having a rectangular central portion 8, wing portionsa at each corner of the rectangular portion and end cpntinuations Ill and j H extending beyond the wing portions 9. The wing portionsB are shown provided with oppositelydirected ears 12 having arcuate edges I3, each of the ears 13 being severed from the central portion 8 as at M and I5. The blank I is next folded in a return bend midway of the central portion 8 to cause the b ight I5, of the blank (see Figure 2) to form a semicylindrical wall for the terminal receiving portion 11 for the receptacle 6, the portions I8 of the central rectangular portion 3 of the blank forming two of the'walls of a socket portion 19 of the receptacle 6. 'Each of the wing portions 9 is bent laterally from the portions 18 at the dotted lines 29 to have their adjacent edges 2| abut to form the other two sidesof the socket portion I9. At the same time the cars 12 of the wing portions 9 are disposed in the terminal receiving portion I 1 of thereceptacle and the arcuate edges 13 of these ears cooperate with each other and with the bight IE to define a cylindrical aperture in the terminal receiving portion,

as best shown in Figure 6, thisvcylindrical aper; ture receiving the generally cylindrical terminal 3,

as previously stated. The end continuations Ill and I l of the blank l are bent on the dotted lines 22 and 23 to overlap transversely of the socket portion 19 and form, a bottom therefor, as best shown in Figure 2. The end continuations l0 and I I are shown circularly perforated as at. 24 and 25, respectively, and one of the 'continuations, in this instance, the continuation H, which is the inner of the two, has themargins of its perforation continued inwardly of the socket portion 19 to provide a conductor receiving sleeve 26. which is interiorly screw-threaded as at 21, the sleeve 26 being formed by drawing themargins :28 of the perforation 25 in a mannerwell-known to those skilled in the art. Soconstructed and arranged,. the hollow interiors 29 and 30 of the terminal re-' ceiving portion I1 and socket portion 19, respectively, are transversely related, and intersect. A plate 3|, in this instance square, having a dome shaped boss 32 thereon provides a detent which is housed by the socket portion l9 and projected into the terminal portion I1 by the pressure of a coil spring 33 also housed in the socket portion 19 between the detent and the sleeve 26. The contraction of the receptacle as at 34 where the walls of the terminal receiving portion l1 merge into N the socket portion 19 limits movement of the detent into the terminal receiving portion l1.

As here shown the wire 35 heavily insulated as at-33 constitutes a high voltage lead to the sparkplug l and'this wire35 may have secured thereto a metallic sleeve 31 which has an integral thus formed in the tip. When the receptacle isscrewed onto the tip 38, as shownin Figures '1 and 2, the tip 38 is threadedly received in the socket portion IQ of the receptacle-and extends up into the hollow interior '30 thereof to be' encircled by the coil spring 33.

Since in accordance with my inventlonthe terminal 3 and the receptacle 6 are selectively inter changeable, the receptacle 3 may be screwed onto the conductor 2 of the spark plug I as shown in Figure 5 and the terminal 3 may be screwed onto the, conductor till 33 oi the, wire 35, without any ch nge nth parts and tosuit the convenience of h se In eith rcase the. terminal 3. is received in the socket portion ll. 01 the receptacle. i

s already desc bed and v eldinsly retained therein by the spring pressed detent 3|. The ters minal 3 is desirablyiormed not only with the frustro-conical portion, 5 but with another irustroconical portion 4| which. is di posed; base to base with the imstro-conical portion 5.. An annular peripheral groove, 42 is located on, the terminal 3. between the frustro-conical portions, 5. and ti and the main cylindrical portion, of the terminal Th dome-shaped boss 32 01'. the detent 3i rides over the tapered, suriiaces. of the ifrust'ro-conical portions 5 and ii. snaps, into the groove 42,.

hus uming a. secure. snap onnecti n which may e asily made or br ken hr appr priate. pressur or pull, as. the, case, may be, upon the terminal 3 into or out or the recept c ea I It is. welhknownthat. snap terminals are. far superior to nut, and, screw terminals. and by the use 01 my, vention. a. spark plus. for example, may be readily adapted for a snapterminal connection. w thou ch nge in, the structure of: the plugv and theplugs. now in use be, readily thus; equipped.

Obviously, the invention is not, l mited to, the details. of construction here shown. for purposes of exemplification. Furthermore, it' is; not; essential that all of the elements, of the invention be used conlointly, since various combinations and subcombinations. may be. advantageously emplayed.

I claim:

1. Electrical.v adaptor means. comprising; a... re. ceptacle formed oi sheet metal. having; a rec-t tangular central portion. a wing portion integral therewith at each four cornerswof; the central portion, and. substantially square end continua.- tions 011 the centralportion extending beyond, the; wing portions, with said, central portion, folded in a return bend. to. have its; big ht; tormasemie cylindrical terminal, receiving portion two of the walls, of a socket portion. and said; wing portions laterally bent from; said central. portion o hav j ce t dg s of achv pair: of; wo; wins. portions: abut to form the othQlItWOJSjdfiSj; of; thesocket portion, and; said, end continuations over,- lapped transversely ofthe socket portion to. form a bottom: therefor, said; win P rtions: having sitely," isposed ars: pr vided: with: ed es, sa d. ears; be n dis salin the t m na r e vin portion; andi o pcratinexwith each h r andiwith. rm bisht: or e; central; por on todenne.

a cylindrical aperture in the terminal receiving portion and said end continuations circularly perforated with the margins of the perforation upon the inner end continued inwardly of the socket portion and interiorly screw-threaded to provide a. conductor receivingsleeve- 2; The structure of claim 1 wherein a detent is housed within the socket portion projecting into the terminal receiving portion with a coil spring mounted within the socket portion resting upon the bottom thereof and pressing against said detent.

3. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacl'e formed of sheet metal having a rectangular centralportion, a wing portion integral therewithat each four corners of the central portion,

, :and end continuations of the central portion ex- .tending'beyond the wing portions, with said central portion folded in a return bend to have its b'rght iorm'a part of a terminal receiving portion and two of the walls of a socket portion and said wing portions laterally bent from said central portion to have adjacent edges of each pair of two; wing portions disposed to form the other two sides of the socket portion, and said end continuations overlapped transversely of the socket portion to form a bottom therefor, said wing portions having ears arranged with respect to each other and with respect to the bight of the central portion to define the remainder of the terminal receiving portion, and said end continuations circularly perforated with the perforation of the inner end continuation interiorly screw-threaded to receive a conductor.

4. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having an elongated. central portion, a wing portion integral therewith, at each four corners of the central portion, and end continuations of the central portion extending beyond the wing portions, with said centralv portion folded in a. return bend to have: itsbight: form: a part of a terminal receiving portion and two of thewalls of a. socket portion and said wing portionsmlaterally bent from said central, portion to. have adjacent edges: of each pair of two wing portionsv disposed to form the; other two sides: of the socket portion, and said end continuations overlapped transversely of the, socket portion to form abottom therefor, said Win81 portions having oppositely disposed ears, provided with. a-rcuate edges, said ears cooperating with each other and with the bight or the central portion to define the remainder of theterminah receiving: portion, and.v means proiding a threaded connection. constructed: and ar ranged. to connect together said end continuations,..

5. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed, ofi sheet; metal having an elongated; central-v portiorn a wingportion integral therewith ateach corners or the central portion, and end. continuations. of: the central portion, extendinglaterally oi the wing. portions with the central portion folded: in. a return bend to have its bight form a part of a terminal receiving:- portion, and two of thewalls: of a socket portion; said: wing: portions laterally bent from said; central: portion to have adjacent edges of each pair of two wing portions disposed to'form the other twosides of the socket portion, and said: end continuationsoverlapped transversely of thesocketportion toiorm a bottom therefor,

said, .wing=' portions having ears arranged with terminal receiving portion, one of said end continuations being provided with an opening and the other with a threaded tubular extension, a spring and a detent arranged in said socket portion with one end of the spring engaging the inner extremity of said tubular extension, and the other end engaging and urging said detent to normally intersect the terminal receiving aperture, and threaded means cooperating with said threaded tubular extension constructed and arranged to clamp said overlapping end portions together.

6. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle: formed of sheet metal having a rectangular central portion, a wing portion integral therewith at each four corners of the central portion, and substantially square end continuations of the central portion extending beyond the wing portions, with said central portion folded in a return bend to have its bight form a semicylindrical terminal receiving portion and two of the walls of a socket portion and said wing portions laterally bent from said central portion to have adjacent edges of each pair of two wing portions abut to form the other two sides of the socket portion, and said end continuations overlapped transversely of the socket portion to form a bottomv therefor, said wing portions having oppositely disposed ears provided with arcuate edges, said ears being disposed in the terminal receiving portion and cooperating with each other and with the bight of the central portion to define a cylindrical aperture in the terminal receiving portion, said end continuations circularly perforated with the margins of the perforation upon the inner end continued inwardly of the socket portion and interiorly screw-threaded to provide a conductor receiving sleeve, and a threaded element cooperating with said sleeve whereby to clamp one of said end continuations between the other end continuation and said threaded element.

'7. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having an elongated central portion with enlarged end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby the central portion and said end extremities form a terminal receiving aperture and a shell, a spring pressed detent arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting said aperture, end portions formed on said extremities and bent to overlap each other, and means for securing said end portions together.

8. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having an elongated central portion with enlarged end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby the central portion and said end extremities form a terminal receiving aperture and a shell, a spring pressed detent arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting said aperture, end portions formed on said extremities and bent to overlap each other, one of said end portions being threaded and the other being provided with an aperture, a threaded element extending through said aperture and cooperating with the threads on said first mentioned end portion to clamp said end portions together.

9. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having an elongated central portion with enlarged generally rectangular end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby to form a terminal receiving aperture and a shell, overlapping end continuations formed on said extremities, one of said end continuations being provided with an aperture and the other with a threaded tubular extension, a. detent and a spring arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting the terminal receiving aperture and with one end of the spring engaging the detent and the other end of said tubular extension, and means cooperating with the threaded extension for clamping the overlapping end continuations toether.

10. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having a central portion with enlarged end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby to form a terminal receiving aperture and a shell, a spring pressed detent arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting said aperture, end portions formed on said extremities and bent to transversely overlap each other, an opening provided in each of said end portions through which means may be inserted constructed and arranged to secure the overlapped end portions together.

11. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having a. central rectangular portion with enlarged end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby to form a cylindrical terminal receiving aperture and a shell, a spring pressed detent arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting said aperture, end portions formed on said extremities and bent to trans. versely overlap each other, one of said end portions being provided with a tubular extension having connecting means, the other of said end portions being provided with an aperture through which means may be extended to cooperate with said connecting means to secure the overlapping end portions together.

12. Electrical connection means comprising a receptacle formed of sheet metal having an elongated central portion with enlarged end extremities, said central portion and said extremities being folded whereby to form a terminal receiving aperture and a shell, a spring pressed detent arranged in said shell with the detent intersecting said aperture, end portions provided with openings and formed on said extremities and bent to transversely overlap each other in a manner to maintain the regularity of the cross-sectional outline of said shell and to register said openings, and means adapted to extend through said openings constructed and arranged to connect said overlapping end portions together.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

